Making the Most of Spatial Technologies: from an Ag Retailer and Service Provider’s Perspective
Clint JayroeDirector of Operations – OptiGro
Jimmy Sanders, Inc.
March 23, 2011NCERA 180 Site Specific Mngt Annual Meeting
Background: JSI and OptiGro• Founded in 1953• Headquarters – Cleveland,
MS• ~60 locations located in 6
states• OptiGro 2008 – Precision Ag
Experience dates back 12+ years
• Committed to placing the right product, at the right rate, at the right time
• Dedicated to Helping Our Customers be Successful & Profitable for Years to Come
Why Soil Sample? – Budget Conscientious
Fertilizer, 39%
Crop Protection, 8%Fuel, 11%
Seed, 18%
Other, 24%
Crop Input Budget
FertilizerCrop ProtectionFuelSeedOther
2003 US $/TN 2004 US $/TN 2005 US $/TN 2006 US $/TN 2007 US $/TN 2008 US $/TN 2009 US $/TN**$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
$800
$900
UAN 32%Urea 44-46% NAmmonia Sulfate18-46-0 (DAP)TSP 44-46% P205MOP 60-62% K2O
Why Soil Sample? – Fertilizer Market Fluctuation
Population and Income Growth Drive Crop ConsumptionGlobal consumption of grains, oilseeds, fruits and vegetables has increased by nearly 2.5 times since 1970. World population over this time nearly doubled and per capita consumption increased by more than 30 percent as income growth in developing countries supported a shift to higher quality diets. With continued growth in population and income levels in developing countries, crop consumption is expected to approach 5 billion tonnes per year by 2020.
Source: UN, USDA, FAO
Source: http://www.potashcorp.com/
Application Deficit Is Not Sustainable Long-TermAs corn and soybean production increased, so did the level of nutrient withdrawals. This resulted in a growing application deficit, as farmers have been drawing down reserves that had been built up in their soils. This practice is not sustainable in the long-term. Crop production is expected to increase in the years ahead and we believe more potash will be required to match the level of nutrients removed from the soil.
Source: USDA, IPNI
Source: http://www.potashcorp.com/
Increased Removal and Economics
http://www.back-to-basics.net/soil_test_summary.htm
1998
Ave
rage
1999
Ave
rage
2000
Ave
rage
2001
Ave
rage
2002
Ave
rage
2003
Ave
rage
2004
Ave
rage
2005
Ave
rage
2006
Ave
rage
2007
Ave
rage
2008
Ave
rage
2009
Ave
rage
2010
Ave
rage
0.00
20.00
40.00
60.00
80.00
100.00
120.00
Our Experience: Avg P – lbs/A
Avg P
1998
Ave
rage
1999
Ave
rage
2000
Ave
rage
2001
Ave
rage
2002
Ave
rage
2003
Ave
rage
2004
Ave
rage
2005
Ave
rage
2006
Ave
rage
2007
Ave
rage
2008
Ave
rage
2009
Ave
rage
2010
Ave
rage
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
450
Our Experience: Avg K – lbs/A
Avg K
1998
Ave
rage
1999
Ave
rage
2000
Ave
rage
2001
Ave
rage
2002
Ave
rage
2003
Ave
rage
2004
Ave
rage
2005
Ave
rage
2006
Ave
rage
2007
Ave
rage
2008
Ave
rage
2009
Ave
rage
2010
Ave
rage
5.60
5.80
6.00
6.20
6.40
6.60
6.80
Avg WpH
Avg WpH
Crop Removal Rates Field Crops Unit P2O5 K2O
Corn lb/bu 0.44 0.29
Cotton lb/bale 14.00 19.00
Rice lb/bu 0.30 0.16
Sorghum lb/cwt 0.75 0.38
Soybeans lb/bu 0.80 1.40
Source: International Plant Nutrition Institute, http://www.ipni.net/nutrientremoval
Wheat lb/bu 0.50 .35
Crop Removal Illustrations
Crop Yield P2O5 K2O
Corn 180 bu 79 52
Cotton 2 bale 28 38
Rice 180 bu 54 29
Sorghum 40 cwt 30 15
Soybeans 50 bu 40 70
Wheat 60 bu 30 21
Crop Removal Fertilizer Applications
0 30 60 90
bu/a
Soil Test P
Soil Test P (lbs./a)Low: 40High: 172Mean: 93.6
Soil Test K (lbs./a)Low: 188High: 766Mean: 480.2
Soil Test K
Soil Test pHLow: 4.9High: 6.2Mean: 5.6
Soil Test pH
Trends?
Treating Each Nutrient Need or Deficiency
Potash
TSP
Zinc
Lime
In Season Variability
• In season use of imagery to correct problems or to make changes in yield goals
Simple Design, Confident Answers
Trial Product XYZCreated 6/26/2007Program Foliar - 1st Bloom CottonTrial Year 2007Trial Area 13.0 acPercent of Field 17%Manufacture ABCProduct XYZ Average Yield Treated 1115.5 lb/acAverage Yield Un-Treated 971.80 lb/acDifference 143.7
•We place trials in large enough strips so that we don’t put any burden on the operator during harvest.
•Through thousands of GPS data points and multiple field sites over a large territory, we are able to confidently evaluate products quickly, accurately, and consistently. Making sure that we are observing the “3r’s”
Variety Info
Hypoxia
•EQUIP Opportunities?•We don’t want the public’s opinion of our grower’s to be equated to BP •Let’s be proactive
Environment and Public PerceptionGulf Oil Situation
Educated Agronomy, One Field at a Time
Yield Data
Aerial Imagery Soil Samples
Field Records
Field Observations
Soil Mapping
Variety Selection
On Farm TrialsPreplanner
Trait Tracking Goal = Profitable Decisions